Page 2 of Twist of Fate

“I can pop the hood for you, but I’m afraid the engine won’t start. I’m Elisabeth Adams. Please feel free to call me Beth.” She hesitated for just a moment before sticking out her hand toward him.

He looked directly at her and she could finally see his eyes. They were an intriguing shade of dark blue and absolutely mesmerizing.

“Wyatt Kincaid.” He took her hand in his and gave her a short but firm handshake.

“Thank you so much for helping me, Wyatt.”

“My pleasure, ma’am.” He gave her a sheepish grin that made the corners of her mouth curl up as well. “Beth.”

“Let me try the engine again.” She got back into her car, popped the hood, and turned the key. The engine stalled. She turned it off and tried again and again, but still nothing. The car wasn’t going to start without intervention.

Wyatt closed the hood as she got back out of the car. “I can’t see anything obvious, but I bet Julian will know what’s wrong. He’s the owner of the town’s garage. We can arrange a tow when we get into town.”

Beth cringed. Sounded like something that would cost hundreds, possibly thousands, of dollars she really couldn’t spare.

“Let me help you with your stuff and I’ll give you a ride to the garage so we can get everything sorted.”

“Oh, thank you. Do you—” She paused, not wanting to let this stranger know how dire her situation was, but something about him made her feel like she could trust him somehow. “Do you have any idea how long it might take to fix my car?”

“Not sure. Depends on what’s wrong with it, I guess, and whether Julian has all the parts you’ll need on hand. Probably a day or two.” He gazed at her, and she almost squirmed under the intensity of it. “You in a rush to get somewhere?”

“No.” The word came tumbling out of her mouth automatically. She crossed her arms over her chest and didn’t fail to notice how his eyes dropped down for a moment. “I’m just on a budget right now, is all.”

“Ah, I see. Well, I can promise you the garage will charge you a very fair price.”

Beth nodded. “Is there somewhere cheap I can stay? A bed-and-breakfast, perhaps?”

“There’s The Clifton Hotel, but Silverbell Shore is a resort town popular with the wealthy, so it’s not really what you’d call cheap.” He looked over at his truck and gave his dog a wave. “I have a cabin near my place that friends and family stay in from time to time. You’re welcome to use it while you wait for your car to be repaired.”

Could she risk staying with this stranger? A man she’d known for all of ten minutes? It felt like she didn’t have much choice. “That’s very kind of you. How much is it per night?”

“No charge. Nobody’s staying in it right now, so you can have it as long as you need.”

His answer startled her. “You don’t know me.”

He gave her a slow once-over that made her tingle in places long hidden. “You don’t know me, either. But I can assure you you’re safe with me. Freya won’t let anything happen to you, and if you’re on a budget then free is a good thing, right?”

Relief washed over her at the thought of not having to dip into her meager savings. “Are you sure, Wyatt? I don’t want to impose.”

“It’s no imposition.” He touched his cap. “You’re not allergic to dogs, are you?”

“No. Freya is beautiful.”

He looked over at the truck again. His German shepherd still had her head stuck out the window, panting happily. “She’s my number one girl.”

Beth retrieved her suitcase from the trunk of her car. Wyatt took it from her without comment, leaving her to carry her backpack, which was still on her shoulders. She locked up again, then followed him over to the truck. Once he’d placed her suitcase and backpack in the truck’s bed, he slid behind the wheel.

“Come here, Freya. In the middle, girl. Let Beth hop in the seat.”

Beth cautiously opened the passenger door and slid into the truck, eyeing the dog carefully. “Can I pet her?”

“Sure. She loves attention.”

She curled her hand into a fist and offered it to the dog, who sniffed and then licked it. Beth then put her seat belt on as Wyatt started the truck and patted Freya as they hit the road.

ChapterTwo

The town of Silverbell Shore unfurled before them several miles later. Wyatt pointed out the various landmarks and buildings as they drove past; the old mill to the left, the hospital to the right. Farther down was the fire department and the library. People walked the streets, dipping in and out of stores carrying bags and boxes.

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